Assistant Director for Human Resources and Faculty Affairs

This position has been deemed critical by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Dean’s Office and is exempt from the hiring pause.

This position is based on Stanford’s main campus with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite 3 or more days a week), subject to operational need. Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

About Us 

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability (SDSS) strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet and people; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a community with the richness of experience and background needed to create solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.

For more information on the school, click here.

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability (Dean’s Office) has a unique job opportunity for a senior human resources professional who is looking for a challenging position supporting academic, non-academic staff, and faculty in the school. This position will be part of a small team, reporting to the Director for Human Resources and Faculty Affairs and be responsible for Human Resources (HR), and Faculty Affairs (FA) functions for assigned client groups. Since most FA issues tie closely to HR issues, we are confident that an experienced HR professional will be able to easily transfer their knowledge to FA work. 

Your responsibilities include: 

• Collaborate closely with leadership, managers and employees to provide expert advice, counsel and management on all aspects of the HR/FA functions including but not limited to organizational development and change management, employee relations; classification and compensation; recruitment and retention; performance management and staff development.

• Collaborate closely with school leadership, department managers and others in the management of the faculty search, appointment and promotion process. Oversee appointment processes for visiting and consulting faculty, academic staff-teaching and visiting scholars; ensure accuracy and compliance with school and university policies and guidelines.

• Lead the implementation of HR/FA processes and strategize solutions on HR/FA issues for an assigned client group. Provide expert HR/FA consultation and guidance to managers, faculty, and senior leaders.

• Review and approve employment transactions and academic appointments, ensuring alignment with university and school policies and guidelines. serve as the primary point of contact for reviewing materials for faculty, academic staff, visiting and adjunct faculty, and other teaching titles.

• Provide administrative and operational support and guidance for faculty employment activities, including searches, appointments, reappointments, promotions, sabbaticals, leaves, retirements, and recalls.

• Support senior leadership in local and university-wide initiatives, including the development and implementation of communication strategies.

In addition to the minimum qualifications listed below, our preferred qualifications include: 

• Knowledge of faculty affairs process at Stanford is highly desired but a willingness to learn them is critical. Most FA issues tie closely to HR issues and while the population is different, the judgment, rationale and processes involved are analogous. Therefore, a strong HR professional should be able to easily transfer those skills to faculty affairs.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and diplomacy when handling highly sensitive and confidential employee and faculty matters.
• Requires excellent problem-solving, organization, prioritization, and follow-through to successfully manage workload that is subject to conflicts, competing priorities, and constant interruptions.
• 10 or more years of progressive HR experience, particularly in higher education or large organizations.
• Proven experience in coaching, training, educating, and influencing managers and senior leadership. 
• Experience working in an academic environment and/or with faculty appointment and promotion processes.

The expected pay range for this position is $160,000 to $190,000 per annum.

Responsibilities

Core Duties:

• Lead strategic planning and analysis for complex functions or programs with significant business, regulatory and/or technical challenges requiring subject matter expertise. May provide development of program or function from initial concept to implementation.
• Manage the administration and evaluation of programs or functions. Oversee the interpretation, implementation and compliance with policies and regulations. Recommend actions and/or resolve complex issues that often span organizational boundaries.
• Represent the program or function at the university level and/or to external/internal stakeholders and constituencies.
• Develop and manage outreach strategy that includes relationship development, communications, and compliance.
• Oversee or supervise staff in the development and implementation of programs or functions.
• May develop and/or oversee budgets; manage finances including monitoring, analyzing, forecasting, and reporting.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree and eight years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to influence and motivate constituencies which could span multiple organizational boundaries.
• Demonstrated excellent planning, organizational and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound business decisions using good business judgment and innovative and creative problem-solving.
• Demonstrated ability to manage financial, organizational and staff resources.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with the ability to cultivate professional and business partnerships.
• Relevant subject matter expertise.